As an adult, Archer arrived in Sunset Valley with Opal and Lucas, along with the Mayer family, with both families moving into 250 Redwood Parkway. For a long while this set-up worked well for the two families, with Tamsin and Opal staying home with the toddlers, whilst Archer and Eoghan started their careers, with a fair bit of money in the bank to keep them afloat.
However, things turned sour when Tamsin and Archer began and affair behind Opal and Eoghan's back, having finally succumbed to their growing feelings. This affair continued for a long while, until young Lance walked in on them together, after which the truth came crashing down. A series of furious four-way fights ensued causing everyone to doubt the future of the household, and the two families that lived there.
Archer's early unforgiving attitude over the affair drove Opal away, and their relationship remained cold. The two families continued to awkwardly live together, much to the shock and judgement of the community. With the children older, Tamsin and Opal entered into their Culinary and Law Enforcement careers, as everyone tried to work out where to go from here.
Soon, Ceara and Lance's birthdays arrived, as they both aged up into children. Archer used this as a platform to reach out to Opal, but she did not reciprocate. Eventually, Opal told Archer she no longer loved him, and asked for a divorce. She left the household and her son Lance behind, deciding instead to focus on her future in espionage, leaving Archer and the Mayer family - who had reunited - to look after him.
Following Opal's departure, Archer began to struggle with working and raising a child. He soon began a fling with the regular household maid, Kate Pistachio.